[Let’s try this again with an actual link] YES! They’re baaaccckkkkkk on the bandwagon. [Mets Rays Geek]

Joe Maddon would not answer directly but Troy Percival could be part of the ALCS roster, but Shawn Riggans does not sound likely. [Rays Report]

Big League Stew has 10 reasons why the Red Sox won’t miss the Yankees in this season’s ALCS. [Big League Stew]

Mike Lopresti says the Rays are the Cinderella the Red Sox used to be…What? Even when the Red Sox first broke through in 2004, they had won 90 games 4 of the previous 6 seasons and had one of the biggest payrolls in baseball. Not exactly “Cinderella” criteria. [USA Today]

One fan site thinks TBS doesn’t want to talk about Andrew Friedman because TBS does not like how the Rays front office operates…That is being a bit neurotic and paranoid. Besides, to call the Rays a “sabermetric” team is overly simplistic. “Quantitative analysis” is not the only reason for this team’s success. In Friedman’s own words, this team is built on “information” and “information is king”. Not all of that information is numbers. [Drays Bay]

Some think the Rays local media coverage is getting a bit too cocky…Ahhh. Red Sox media and their fans: Defining “classy” since 2004. [Deadspin]

What do you guys think about the closer situation? Should the rays continue closing by committee? I personally think Balfour should close due to the quality of stuff. Wheeler seems a bit risky with the power bats of the Sawks. David Price could move into the setup man role.

Rays could just dance with those who brought them. Wheeler closing. What do you think?

i think we will continue to see Wheeler in the 9th inning unless a tough lefty can beat the rays (ie. Ortiz up with a chance to win the game). In those situations i think we will see Miller (most likely) or Price (if Miller has already been used).

I would rather call what the Rays are doing bullpen by situation rather than by committee. Wheeler may be the designated closer in many people's minds, and likely will get lots of 9th innings, but my impression is that Maddon will determine who can best help the team in each situation. That is why with runners on in the 7th, he used Balfour or Howell, not because he was saving Wheeler for the 9th.

I would not be surprised to see him use Balfour in the 9th of a 1 run game if the matchups dictate it. Or Howell for that matter. Or even Bradford or Miller. I doubt it, but maybe the Rays are the thin edge of the wedge that will get rid of the nonsensical closer designation.

Robert is again correct - the Rays are successfully showing that bullpen by committee works well if the manager properly uses the resources available to him.

We discussed the excessive number of lefties for the divisional series (Kazmir, Howell, Miller and Price) which, in my mind, made little sense given the fact that the Sox were near a 100% right handed batting team. While Kaz and JP clearly had merit, it was pointed out the Miller was essentially a LOOGY (is this a luxury when carrying only 10 pitchers?) and Prices arm did not matter. In the end Miller pitched to 1 batter and Price was never used - yep Miller was a LOOGY and Price's arm did not matter. Upon further reflection, I have agreed there is merit to Price - he is an unknown to most batters.

So now I ask my esteemed Rays colleagues (as a couple more years of my retirement funds disappears on the Nikkei), will the Rays continue to carry 10 pitchers and will it include Price? I support 10 pitchers and see how while Price has a .... price, there is a high reward value when at least one starter has problems. I'm guessing the roster stays the same... which includes (to the Prof's pleasure), games sans Hinske.

Price would be a valuable commodity if, let's say for instance, Howell comes in and pitches 2 to 3 innings in relief of Shields (if Shields somehow gets knocked around or struggles with pitch-count (its rare but always possible)) and then Kaz follows the next day with another 4or 5 inning performance... at that point I think Price makes the most sense. Of course, there are tons of variables that could de-rail that theory, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

I'm on the fence about whether or not Percy should be added to the roster. Honestly I've lost all faith in his ability to close this year, but on the flip side of that thought; what do you really lose by adding Percy? Hinske? They've got 2 or 3 "Hinskes" on the roster all ready...

i would not be surprised if Maddon went to 11 pitchers, but there is a small part of me that wonders if he will stay with 10. There are plenty of days off and he has guys in the pen like Price and Howell that can go more than 2 innings if needed.

then again, Hinske didn't make a single appearance in the ALDS. is he really needed at this point?

To finish this off, Rays pen during the ALDS was sick. One writer noted that 99% of America could not name a single reliever on that staff. However, he wrote, their performance was a continuation of their record during the regular season.

If there is clear worst to first for which a GM (and a little defense) can make a difference , its the bullpen. If there were an MVP for the ALDS (Is there? If so, who won it?), give it to the collective.